Apparatus for maintaining a constant supply and pressure in service-pipes.



H. *M. BOWSER 811T. F. MULLIGANJ APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING/1 CONSTANT SUPPLY AND PRESSURE IN SERVICE PIPES. APPLICATION I\ILED D3012, 1910.

Patented Sept. 29, I914.

hereinafter more E srn'rns ETENT ornioni.

HARRY M. BOWSER AND THOMAS F. MULLIGAN, 0F FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO S. F. BOWSER & COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, A COR PORATION OF INDIANA.

APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SUPPLY AND PRESSURE IN SERVICE- PIPES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

Application filed December 12, 1910. 7 Serial No. 596,941.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HARRY M. Bowsnn and THOMAS F. MULLIGAN, citizens of the United States, both residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Maintaining a Constant Supply and Pressure in Service-Pipes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for maintaining a constant supply and pressure in service pipes and the primary object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character having means whereby the pump operating mechanism for supplying liquid may be automatically controlled by the supply of the liquid.

A further object is to provide an in): proved apparatus of this character which will be simple, durable and cheap in construction and effective and efficient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects, as will appear, the invention consists substantially in the features of novelty fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing exemplifying the invention, and in which the figure is an elevation of an improved apparatus of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

This improved apparatus is particularly designed for use in testing engines, in which operation it is not only necessary to maintain a constant supply of liquid but it is also necessary to maintain a constant pressure upon the liquid whereby the liquid will be supplied to the engine cylinders and which pressure acts upon the liquid in a manner similar to the pressure which acts upon the liquid in the carbureter of the engine when the latter is installed for use, particularly in automobiles. It is to be understood, however, that this apparatus is not to be limited to this specific use, as it may be used for many other purposes.

Referring more particularly to the drawing and to the embodiment shown therein, the numeral 5 designates a supply tank to which the liquid is supplied by means of the supply plpe 6. This tank 5 may be located in any convenient place and the liquid is supplied to the pipe 6 by means of a pump 7, the inlet 8 of which is connected to any suitable source of supply. The pump 7 is preferably of the rotary type and is actuated by means of a motor 9, the specific con- 7 struction of which pump and motor, how-' ever, forms' no part of the present invention. The outlet of the pump is, however, connected with the pipe 6 to supply the tank with liquid. The motor 9 is operated by an electric circuit, which latter is controlled through a controller board 10 in any suitable manner, the said controller board being a standard type of well known construction. A switch 11 serves to control the current to the motor and this switch is preferably a single pole float switch of a standard type of well known construction. The motor 9, and pump 7 are preferably located in a well or pit 12 which is preferably arranged at some distance from the tank If desired, the controller board 10 may also be arranged within the pit.

The tank 5 is preferably closed and leading therefrom is a vent pipe 13. is arranged within the tank and rises and falls as the height of liquid in the tank varies. The liquid from the tank 5 is supplied or conveyed to the point of use from the tank through a service pipe or main 15, in which latter may be arranged a controlling valve 16. The switch 11 is preferably located adjacent the tank 5 and is provided with an operating handle 17. A flexible member 18 is'connected with the float 14s and extends over pulleys 19 so that a portion of the flexible member will be disposed in' close proximity to the handle 17 of the switch. Connected to the flexible member 18 is a weight 20 by means of which the float 1 1 may be counterbalanced. Secured to the flexible member 18 are knobs or buttons 21, 22, which are spaced frolneach other and arranged on opposite sides of the handle 17 of the switch. These buttons or knobs 21, 22, are so arranged that when the liquid in the tank 5 falls below a, predetermined level, the button 22 will engage the handle 17 of the switch to operate the latter to close the circuit through the motor 9 for starting the the handle 17 of the switch, to cause the button to shift the switch to break or cut out the circuit through the motor 9 and thereby stop the pump. It will thus be manifest that the pump 7 will be automatically controlled by the height of liquid in the tank 5.

In order to guide the flexible member 18 from the tank a tubular member or pipe 23 may be provided, which latter has communication with the tank and to which pipe the vent pipe 13 is connected.

What is claimed as new is l. Anapparatus for maintaining a constunt supply and pressure in service pipes consisting of a closed supply tank, a pump therefor, a supply pipe eading from the pump through the top of the tank and an electric motor for actuating the pump, a

service pipe leading from the tank, a switch for controlling the motor, a float in the tank, a tubular member leading from the top oi the tank, a vent pipe with downwardly opening vents connected to the tubular memher at the side thereoi nd extending hori zontally and upwardly therefrom, pulleys mounted above the tank and the switch, a flexible member connected with the float extending through the tubular member over the pulleys and depending adjacent the switch, a weight connected with the depending end of the flexible member for counterbalancing the float, the switch being provided with an operating handle extending adjacent the flexible member, and spaced members disposed on the flexible member adapted to engage the handle of the switch to actuate it and open and close a circuit for controllin the motor when the float in the closed tank reaches predetermined positions in the tank.

2. The combination with a closed supply tank, of a discharge pipe therefor, a fill pipe connected through the top of the tank, a float in the tank, a tubular member extending upwardly from the top of the tank and open at the top, a flexible member connected with the float extending through the tubular member, and an upwardly extending vent pipe with downwardly opening vents connected to the said tubular member at the side thereof.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribin witnesses, on this 6th day of December D. 1910.

HARRY M. BOWSER. THOMAS F. MULLIGAN.

Witnesses:

J. W. BURROWS, It. E. FLEMING. 

